The Southern Boone Area YMCA is a non profit organization comprised of persons of all ages, ethnic groups, and religious affiliations dedicated to putting Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.
With the help and support of the Jefferson City Area YMCA and a successful Founders and Capital Campaign, we were able to make the Southern Boone Area YMCA a reality and support the residents of the Southern Boone area in the core areas of Youth Development, Healthy Living, and Social Responsibility.
Click here to view our Information Guide.
The YMCA offers:
- More than 25 pieces of cardio equipment including: 10 treadmills, 10 cycle bikes, 5 ellipticals, 2 climbers, 4 row machines, 3 recumbent bikes, 3 upright bikes, an upper body ergometer, recumbent cross trainer and an airdyne.
- 2 machines for flexibility – one for quadriceps and hamstring extension and flexion
- Strength
- 12 selectorized (pin lock) machines to work your total body
- 8 multi-station and 2 dual adjustable pulley systems for lat pull, tricep pushdown, low/high row, bicep curls, pull-ups, cable crossovers and more
- Free Weights
- Flat benches, incline, shoulder press, preacher curls, straight bars, 2 hex bars, bumper plates, etc.
- 4 heavy squat racks, smith machine, leg sled, etc.
- 2 sets of dumbbells (5 – 100 lbs.). We also have 1 – 5’s and Therabands for therapy.
- Kettle bells (5-70 lbs.)
- 2 Keiser functional trainers
- 2 push sleds
- Ab coaster, balls, rollers, etc. to work your upper and lower abs and obliques
- Exercise rooms
- Fitness classes
- Spin bikes
- Turf room
- Batting Cage
- Outdoor Trail
- Open to the public from sunrise to sunset
- Distance: 0.63 mile loop
- Click here for trail rules and additional information
- Outdoor playground
- Slides
- Balance beam
- Musical instruments
- Child care
- Child watch
- Before and after school care
- Summer camp
- Youth sports
The History of the Southern Boone Area YMCA
2013 – Founders Campaign
The Southern Boone Area YMCA began with a vision of bringing more opportunities for health, wellness, youth development, and community connection to the families of Southern Boone County.
A special thank you goes to Dave Westhoff, Lonna Trammell, Kim Ponder, and Pat Lacy, whose leadership and involvement helped lay the foundation for the Southern Boone Area YMCA.
Bringing a YMCA to Southern Boone was a true community effort. With the support of the Jefferson City Area YMCA and the dedication of local community members, a Founders Campaign was launched with a goal of raising $500,000 to help make the vision a reality. Through the generosity and commitment of the community, that goal was not only met but exceeded, with an incredible $560,000 raised.
This tremendous show of community support helped turn a shared vision into reality and laid the groundwork for what the Southern Boone Area YMCA would become.
Click HERE to see who donated to the Founders Campaign. We thank you for your support!
2015 – Where It All Began
That vision became reality in April 2015, when the Southern Boone Area YMCA opened its doors in a 6,800-square-foot rented facility in downtown Ashland, formerly home to Home Movie Depot. Under the direction of its Branch Director, Kip Batye, the Y began building relationships and creating opportunities for individuals and families throughout the community.The response was incredible. By the end of its first year, the YMCA had approximately 1,300 members.
2016 – Planning For The Future
As membership continued to grow, so did the vision for what the Y could become.In 2016, the YMCA purchased 15 acres of land with the goal of building a permanent facility that could better serve the needs of a growing community.
2018 – Launch Of The Capital Campaign
Through a tremendous community effort, a major capital campaign brought together local businesses, individuals, grants, and generous donors to make that vision possible.
2021 – A New Home For The Y
After years of planning, fundraising, and construction, the new Southern Boone Area YMCA opened in March 2021. The 17,860-square-foot facility provided expanded opportunities for fitness, youth sports, childcare, group exercise, and community programming.
Continuing to Grow
The opening of the new facility was not the finish line. It was the beginning of another chapter.
As the Southern Boone community has continued to grow, so has the YMCA. Additional parking has been added to better accommodate members and visitors, while investments in outdoor recreation have expanded opportunities beyond the walls of the facility.
One of the YMCA’s most significant community investments has been the completion of its Community Trail and Fields Initiative. This project brought an accessible walking trail and two full-size football/soccer fields to Ashland, creating new opportunities for recreation, youth sports, physical activity, and community connection.
Made possible through years of planning, community fundraising, private donors, and local support, this project represents the YMCA’s continued commitment to creating spaces where individuals and families can be active, connect, and enjoy the outdoors.
These improvements are another example of what can happen when a community comes together with a shared vision.
Our Mission Continues
Today, the Southern Boone Area YMCA remains committed to its mission of putting Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.
From a small rented space in downtown Ashland to a growing community organization with expanded facilities, outdoor recreation, youth sports, and family programming, the Southern Boone Area YMCA has come a long way.
But the heart of the Y has never changed. It has always been about people, community, and making Southern Boone a better place for everyone.
Our history was built by community. Our future will be built together.
